Sleeping or waking, 'tis no matter how, And to preserve my sovereign from his foe,- Car. But I would have him dead, my lord of Suffolk, Ere you can take due orders for a priest: Say you consent, and censure well the deed, I tender so the safety of my liege. Suff. Here is my hand; the deed is worthy doing. Q. Mar. And so say I. York. And I; and now we three have spoke it, It skills not greatly who impugns our doom. Enter a Messenger. Mess. Great lords, from Ireland am I come amain, To signify that rebels there are up, And put the Englishmen unto the sword: Send succors, lords, and stop the rage betime, For, being green, there is great hope of help. Som. If York, with all his far-fet policy, Show me one scar charáctered on thy skin; Q. Mar. Nay, then, this spark will prove a raging fire, York. What, worse than naught? nay, then a shame take all! Som. And in the number, thee, that wishest shame! Car. My lord of York, try what your fortune is. The uncivil kernes of Ireland are in arms, And temper clay with blood of Englishmen; To Ireland will you lead a band of men, Collected choicely, from each county some, And try your hap against the Irishmen? York. I will, my lord, so please his majesty. Suff. Why, our authority is his consent; And what we do establish, he confirms: Then, noble York, take thou this task in hand. York. I am content. Provide me soldiers, lords, Whiles I take order for mine own affairs. Suff. A charge, lord York, that I will see performed. But now return we to the false duke Humphrey. Car. No more of him; for I will deal with him, That, henceforth, he shall trouble us no more. And so break off; the day is almost spent: Lord Suffolk, you and I must talk of that event. York. My lord of Suffolk, within fourteen days, At Bristol I expect my soldiers; For there I'll ship them all for Ireland. Suff. I'll see it truly done, my lord of York. [Exeunt all but YORK. York. Now, York, or never, steel thy fearful thoughts, And change misdoubt to resolution. Be that thou hop'st to be; or what thou art Resign to death; it is not worth the enjoying. Let pale-faced fear keep with the mean-born man, And find no harbor in a royal heart. Faster than spring-time showers, comes thought on thought; And not a thought, but thinks on dignity. My brain, more busy than the laboring spider, Weaves tedious snares to trap mine enemies. Well, nobles, well, 'tis politicly done, To send me packing with a host of men; I fear me, you but warm the starved snake, Who, cherished in your breasts, will sting your hearts. 'Twas men I lacked, and you will give them me; I take it kindly; yet, be well assured You put sharp weapons in a madman's hands. And this fell tempest shall not cease to rage I have seduced a headstrong Kentishman, To make commotion, as full well he can, In Ireland have I seen this stubborn Cade And fought so long, till that his thighs with darts Shaking the bloody darts, as he his bells. SCENE II. Bury. A Room in the Palace. Enter certain Murderers, hastily. [Exit. 1 Mur. Run to my lord of Suffolk; let him know, We have despatched the duke, as he commanded. 2 Mur. O, that it were to do!-What have we done? Didst ever hear a man so penitent? Enter SUFFOLK. 1 Mur. Here comes my lord. Suff. Despatched this thing? Now, sirs, have you 1 Mur. Ay, my good lord; he's dead. Suff. Why, that's well said. Go, get you to my house; I will reward you for this venturous deed. The king and all the peers are here at hand.— 1 Mur. 'Tis, my good lord. Suff. Away, be gone! [Exeunt Murderers. Enter KING HENRY, QUEEN MARGARET, CARDINAL BEAUFORT, SOMERSET, Lords, and others. K. Hen. Go, call our uncle to our presence straight.. Say, we intend to try his grace to-day, If he be guilty, as 'tis published. Suff. I'll call him presently, my noble lord. [Exit. K. Hen. Lords, take your places;-and, I pray you all, Proceed no straiter 'gainst our uncle Gloster, Than from true evidence, of good esteem, He be approved in practice culpable, Q. Mar. God forbid any malice should prevail, That faultless may condemn a nobleman! Pray God, he may acquit him of suspicion ! K. Hen. I thank thee, Margaret; these words content me much. Re-enter SUFFOLK. How now? why look'st thou pale? why tremblest thou? Where is our uncle? what is the matter, Suffolk ? Suff. Dead in his bed, my lord; Gloster is dead. Q. Mar. Marry, God forefend! Car. God's secret judgment; - I did dream to-night, The duke was dumb, and could not speak a word. [The King swoons. Q. Mar. How fares my lord?—Help, lords! the king is dead. Som. Rear up his body; wring him by the nose. Q. Mar. Run, go, help, help!-0 Henry, ope thine eyes! Q. Mar. How fares my gracious lord? Suff. Comfort, my sovereign! gracious Henry, comfort! K. Hen. What, doth my lord of Suffolk comfort me? Came he right now to sing a raven's note, Whose dismal tune bereft my vital powers; And thinks he, that the chirping of a wren, By crying comfort from a hollow breast, Can chase away the first-conceived sound? And kill the innocent gazer with thy sight; In life, but double death, now Gloster's dead! Q. Mar. Why do you rate my lord of Suffolk thus? Although the duke was enemy to him, Yet he, most Christianlike, laments his death; I would be blind with weeping, sick with groans, What know I how the world may deem of me? It may be judged I made the duke away; So shall my name with slander's tongue be wounded, K. Hen. Ah, woe is me for Gloster, wretched man! What, art thou, like the adder, waxen deaf? And he that loosed them from their brazen caves; |